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Ham Networking - The Network Amateur.
Recent discussions on the Melb Wireless list about the future of the
network and which IP protocol (IPv4 or IPv6) to use made me realise
some of us are here to experiment, while others are here to get "on
the air" and then utilise or provide network services. I'm more of the
experimenter in this case.
This is not unlike the situation on the airwaves, namely Ham Radio,
where there's a number of experimenters and a number of "users" or
"service providers" (the people that setup repeaters and packet BBSs -
and IRLP nodes for that matter!).
Ham Radio and Ham Networking actually have a lot in common - they
both involve technology (radio vs computers). They are also both used
for communication and data transfer, and a unique social scene (seems
melbwireless 'callsigns' are allocated from a database too - I'm
NodeBCJ [1] ) is emerging with monthly meetings. One aspect of Ham
Networking, specifically wireless networking even shares one of the
amateur radio bands - 2.4 GHz.
Still, there are differences. Ham Radio has been around a while and
has a long history of tradition. Ham Networking is relatively new,
though APANA could be considered an early ham networking 'club' of
around 10 years standing; and doesn't have the 'baggage' of 'the old
ways', it's a new and exciting hobby. Also, unlike amateur radio, you
don't need a licence to run your private network, not even for
wireless. This makes it somewhat easier to get into. That may change
one day, given the increasing number of security risks caused by
inexperienced admins... (hope not!).
Still, mixing Ham Radio and Ham Networking has a lot to offer both
sides. Already, MelbWireless [2] people are finding the need to learn
about microwave RF techniques and propagation, and basic electronics.
And that networking skill, along with the coders are what Ham Radio
needs for its next generation of development. Emerging fields where
programmers can get their teeth into radio include Internet Linking
(development of better techniques and codecs), Digital Signal
Processing, Software Defined Radios, and of course, high speed
networking, IPv6 and all that jazz...
So will it be the amateur networkers that push the introduction of
things like IPv6? We do have the advantage that whatever we do is not
subject to commercial constraints. If we break our network, so what?
We just have to fix it, that's all. If a company breaks their network,
it's big bucks down the drain. So I guess companies aren't going to
want to dive into IPv6 too soon.
So how would one define Ham Networking? Let's go back to the radio
analogy... From the ACA re amateur radio licences...
* An Amateur licence is issued to authorise a station that:
* is operated for the purposes of self-training in
radiocommunications, intercommunication using radiocommunications and
technical investigation into radiocommunications by persons who do so
solely with a personal aim, and who have no pecuniary interest in the
outcome of the operations of the station;
* is operated on amateur frequencies or amateur frequency bands;
and may participate in the amateur-satellite service.
* The Amateur Service is designed primarily to facilitate hobby
radiocommunications and for technical experimentation and operates on
specified frequency bands. Amateur radio operators communicate via a
number of transmission modes including, but not limited to, morse
code, telephony and data.
Well, paraphrasing that, one could define "Ham Networking" as
* Using networking technologies to facilitate hobby communications
and data sharing. Amateur Network nodes are operated for the purposes
of self training and experimentation in networking techniques, as well
as intercommunication using data networks without pecuniary interest
in the outcome of the operation of the network. Amateur Networks may
use wired or wireless technologies for their infrastructure, they are
not limited to wireless in this context (it's the data and how it's
used that matters ).
After all this mumbo jumbo, what use is it? Perhaps a sense of
identity? Or a realisation that many human endeavours come from
similar ideals? The desire to learn, share and interact without
monetary ties?
One thing is for certain, Ham Radio and Ham Networking overlap to a
surprisingly large extent. In fact, in the area of high speed packet
radio, they may blend together completely one day.
Now how will I sign off?
73 de VK3JED
NodeBCJ [3] -> * FIN
Links:
------
[1] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NodeBCJ
[2] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?MelbWireless
[3] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NodeBCJ
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